U.S. patent application number 11/734503 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for image forming apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to MURATA KIKAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Ryohei OHTSUKI.
Application Number | 20080107446 11/734503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38756312 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080107446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OHTSUKI; Ryohei |
May 8, 2008 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS
Abstract
In an image forming apparatus, a jam access cover is mounted to
an apparatus body so as to be rotatable with respect to the
apparatus body. A manual feeding tray is mounted to the jam access
cover in the vicinity of an upper end portion thereof so as to be
rotatable with respect to the jam access cover. This allows the jam
access cover to be effectively used as a mounting portion for the
manual feeding tray.
Inventors: |
OHTSUKI; Ryohei; (Kyoto-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.;(MURATEC) c/o KEATING & BENNETT LLP
8180 GREENSBORO DRIVE, SUITE 850
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
MURATA KIKAI KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Fushimi-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
38756312 |
Appl. No.: |
11/734503 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
399/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03G 15/70 20130101;
G03G 2215/00548 20130101; G03G 21/1638 20130101; G03G 2215/00544
20130101; G03G 2221/1675 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
399/124 |
International
Class: |
G03G 21/00 20060101
G03G021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 13, 2006 |
JP |
2006-111227 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; a jam
access cover arranged to allow for removal of a jammed sheet inside
the apparatus body; and a manual feeding tray mounted to the jam
access cover so as to be rotatable with respect to the jam access
cover.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a
lower end of the jam access cover is mounted to the apparatus body
on a side surface thereof, and the jam access cover is mounted to
the apparatus body so as to rotatable about the lower end as a
fulcrum for rotation with respect to the apparatus body.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
jam access cover is mounted to the apparatus body so as to close an
opening in communication with a sheet carrying path formed inside
the apparatus body, and the opening is exposed to the outside of
the apparatus body when the jam access cover rotates with respect
to the apparatus body to open.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the
jam access cover is provided with a lock mechanism arranged to
prevent rotation of the jam access cover with respect to the
apparatus body.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
lock mechanism is a claw member rotatably provided in an inner side
surface of the jam access cover, the claw member is substantially
L-shaped and provided with a rotation shaft, and interlocking
between a portion of the claw member and the apparatus body causes
the jam access cover to be locked in the apparatus body.
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
lock mechanism is further provided with a release lever arranged to
release the lock between the claw member and the apparatus
body.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
manual feeding tray interlocks with the jam access cover, and
applying a predetermined pressure to the manual feeding tray causes
the interlock between the manual feeding tray and the jam access
cover to be released.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a
feeding opening is arranged in the vicinity of the lower end of the
manual feeding tray, a driven feeding roller is provided in the
vicinity of the feeding opening, and the feeding pad is arranged to
be opposed to the feeding roller when the manual feeding tray is
open.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus
including an apparatus body provided with an image forming portion
for forming an image on a sheet, a jam access cover for removing a
jammed sheet inside the apparatus body, and a manual feeding tray
for supplying a manually fed sheet into the apparatus body.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Some conventional image forming apparatuses include a jam
access cover for removing a jammed sheet inside the image forming
apparatus and a manual feeding tray for supplying a manually fed
sheet into the image forming apparatus. In such an image forming
apparatus, a manual feeding opening for supplying a sheet inside is
arranged on an upper side of the jam access cover mounted to an
apparatus body. The manual feeding tray is mounted to the apparatus
body in the vicinity of the manual feeding opening.
[0005] In the conventional image forming apparatus, the jam access
cover is arranged to be mounted to the apparatus body independently
from the manual feeding tray. This causes a problem that there is
no space for mounting the jam access cover and the manual feeding
tray independently from each other, and therefore, both of the jam
access cover and the manual feeding tray cannot be provided at the
respective places of the apparatus body in the case of a
comparatively small image forming apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred
embodiments of the present invention provide an image forming
apparatus capable of efficiently mounting a jam access cover and a
manual feeding tray even on a comparatively small image forming
apparatus.
[0007] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body
provided with an image forming portion for forming an image on a
sheet, a jam access cover for removing a jammed sheet inside the
apparatus body, and a manual feeding tray for supplying a manually
fed sheet into the apparatus body, wherein the jam access cover is
mounted to the apparatus body so as to be rotatable with respect to
the apparatus body and the manual feeding tray is mounted to the
jam access cover so as to be rotatable with respect to the jam
access cover.
[0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the jam access cover is provided with a lock mechanism
for preventing rotation with respect to the apparatus body.
[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the lock mechanism includes a claw member, which is
provided in the jam access cover for interlocking with the
apparatus body, and a release lever for releasing the lock between
the claw member and the apparatus body.
[0010] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the manual feeding tray interlocks with the jam access
cover in a predetermined place wherein applying a predetermined
pressure to the manual feeding tray causes the lock between the
manual feeding tray and the jam access cover to be released.
[0011] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the jam access cover is mounted to the apparatus body so
as to be rotatable with respect to the apparatus body and the
manual feeding tray is mounted to the jam access cover so as to be
rotatable with respect to the jam access cover. Accordingly, the
jam access cover can be effectively used as a mounting portion for
the manual feeding tray. This allows the jam access cover and the
manual feeding tray to be efficiently mounted independently from
each other even on a comparatively small image forming apparatus.
In addition, the apparatus body of the image forming apparatus can
be reduced in size.
[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the jam access cover is provided with a lock mechanism
for preventing rotation with respect to the apparatus body, so that
the jam access cover can be prevented from rotating to open
simultaneously when only the manual feeding tray is rotated to
open. The jam access cover thus does not rotate together when
opening only the manual feeding tray. This improves the efficiency
of operation.
[0013] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the lock mechanism includes a claw member, which is
provided in the jam access cover and interlocked with the apparatus
body, and a release lever for releasing the lock between the claw
member and the apparatus body. Accordingly, releasing the lock
between the claw member and the apparatus body by the release lever
in order to open the jam access cover allows the jam access cover
to be easily opened. The claw member is interlocked with the
apparatus body when the jam access cover is closed, so that the jam
access cover does not suddenly rotate to open.
[0014] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the manual feeding tray interlocks with the jam access
cover in a predetermined place wherein applying a predetermined
pressure to the manual feeding tray causes the lock between the
manual feeding tray and the jam access cover to be released.
Accordingly, applying a predetermined pressure to the manual
feeding tray allows only the manual feeding tray to be rotated to
open in the case of using the manual feeding tray. At that time,
the jam access cover is locked by the lock mechanism, and
therefore, does not rotate to open.
[0015] Other features, elements, processes, steps, characteristics
and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent
from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of
the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
under a condition that a manual feeding tray and a jam access cover
of the image forming apparatus are closed.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of an image forming apparatus in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
under a condition that only a manual feeding tray of the image
forming apparatus is open.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front view of an image forming apparatus in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
under a condition that a jam access cover of the image forming
apparatus is open.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion in FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion in FIG. 3.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a top view of a portion in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Now, an image forming apparatus in accordance with preferred
embodiments of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings.
[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, an image forming apparatus
10 includes an apparatus body 12 in which an image forming portion
(not illustrated) for forming an image on a sheet is housed. On an
upper portion of the apparatus body 12 there is provided an
original automatic feeding device 14. A lower end, which acts as a
fulcrum, of a jam access cover 16 is mounted to one side surface of
the apparatus body 12. The jam access cover 16 is mounted so as to
be rotatable with respect to the apparatus body 12 about the lower
end. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the jam access cover 16 is mounted
to the apparatus body 12 so as to close a jam access opening 18
which is in communication with a sheet carrying path formed inside
the apparatus body 12. The jam access opening 18 is arranged to be
open to the outside when the jam access cover 16 rotates with
respect to the apparatus body 12 to be opened.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the jam access cover 16 is
provided on an inner side surface thereof with a claw member 20.
The claw member 20 preferably is formed substantially into the
shape of an "L". A rotation shaft 22 is fitted to a portion of the
claw member 20. An end of the rotation shaft 22 is rotatably fitted
to the inner side surface of the jam access cover 16. The claw
member 20 is thus arranged to rotate about the rotation shaft 22
together with the rotation shaft 22. Further, a portion of the claw
member 20 is arranged to interlock with the apparatus body 12.
[0026] The jam access cover 16 is also provided with a release
lever 24 for rotating a shaft 23. The release lever 24 is exposed
outside the jam access cover 16 so as to be operated by a user or
an operator even when the jam access cover 16 covers the jam access
opening 18 of the apparatus body 12, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
4. The release lever 24 is mechanically connected to the shaft 23.
Pushing up the release lever 24 causes the shaft 23 to be rotated.
This allows an interlocking relationship between the claw member 20
and the apparatus body 12 to be released. More specifically, as
shown in FIG. 7, one end portion of the claws 20, which
respectively make contact with latch members mounted on the shaft
23, is pushed downward. Accordingly, the claw 20 rotates. By this
rotational movement, the claws 20 are displaced from the apparatus
body 12. When the claws 20 are displaced from the apparatus body
12, the jam access cover 16 can be opened. Releasing the release
lever 24 causes the release lever 24 to move back to the original
position due to the elasticity of a torsion spring 25 provided in
the claw member 20. The shaft 23 rotates in an opposite direction
in accordance with the above operation, and thereby, the claw
member 20 is interlocked with the apparatus body 12.
[0027] A manual feeding tray 26 is mounted in the vicinity of an
upper end of the jam access cover 16, which end is a swing side end
located on a side opposite to the lower end in the height
direction. On both side surfaces of the manual feeding tray 26 are
formed convex portions omitted from drawing. The convex portions
are rotatably fitted into the jam access cover 16 in the vicinity
of the upper end thereof. This allows the manual feeding tray 26 to
be rotatable with respect to the jam access cover 16.
[0028] The manual feeding tray 26 is preferably provided with a
snap fit portion, which is omitted from drawing. As illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the manual feeding tray 26 interlocks with the jam
access cover 16 through the snap fit portion when an exposed
surface or an outer surface of the manual feeding tray 26 is in
substantially the same plane as an exposed surface or an outer
surface of the jam access cover 16. Applying a predetermined
pressure to the manual feeding tray 26 so as to open the manual
feeding tray 26 under a condition that the manual feeding tray 26
interlocks with the jam access cover 16 allows the lock to be
easily released. The jam access cover 16 does not rotate together
with the manual feeding tray 26 at that time since the claw member
20 of the jam access cover 16 interlocks with the apparatus body
12.
[0029] A sheet guide member 28 is arranged to be mounted to a top
end of the manual feeding tray 26 so as to be freely openable, as
illustrated in FIG. 2. Accordingly, opening the sheet guide member
28 at the top end of the manual feeding tray 26 when using the
manual feeding tray 26 allows a sheet to be held stably in
position. The sheet guide member 28 can be folded to be housed on a
feeding surface of the manual feeding tray 26 when the manual
feeding tray 26 is not used, so that the sheet guide member 28 is
not obstructive.
[0030] A feeding pad 30 is provided on the inner side surface of
the manual feeding tray 26 at approximately a middle portion
between the respective convexes formed on both side surfaces of the
manual feeding tray 26, as illustrated in FIG. 5. A feeding opening
32 is formed in the vicinity of a lower end of the manual feeding
tray 26 of the apparatus body 12, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when
the manual feeding tray 26 is rotated with respect to the jam
access cover 16 to open the manual feeding tray 26. A driven
feeding roller 34 is provided in the vicinity of the feeding
opening 32 so that the feeding pad 30 is opposed to the feeding
roller 34 when the manual feeding tray 26 is open. Accordingly, the
feeding pad 30 is opposed to the feeding roller 34 upon opening the
manual feeding tray 26, and then, a sheet placed on the manual
feeding tray 26 is held between the feeding roller 34 and the
feeding pad 30 to be supplied in order into the apparatus body 12
through the feeding opening 32.
[0031] Now, an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in
accordance with a preferred embodiment will be described.
[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the jam access cover 16 is
located on a side surface of the apparatus body 12 so as to close
the jam access opening 18 formed in the apparatus body 12 when the
manual feeding tray 26 and the jam access cover 16 are not used,
and more specifically, when the manual feeding tray 26 and the jam
access cover 16 are closed. The manual feeding tray 26 is located
on the apparatus body 12 side without being inclined with respect
to the jam access cover 16. The sheet guide member 28 is unfolded
from the manual feeding tray 26 at that time. Accordingly, the
manual feeding tray 26 and the jam access cover 16 can be housed
compactly when the manual feeding tray 26 and the jam access cover
16 are not used.
[0033] The jam access cover 16 cannot suddenly rotate to open when
the jam access cover 16 is closed since the claw member 20 of the
jam access cover 16 interlocks with the apparatus body 12. Further,
it cannot happen that only the manual feeding tray 26 rotates to
open since the manual feeding tray 26 interlocks with the jam
access cover 16 through the snap fit portion.
[0034] In the case of using the manual feeding tray 26 as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, a predetermined pressure is applied
to the manual feeding tray 26 to release the lock between the
manual feeding tray 26 and the jam access cover 16 while the manual
feeding tray 26 is rotated and inclined with respect to the jam
access cover 16. At that time, the jam access cover 16 itself does
not rotate even when pressure is transferred to the jam access
cover 16 through the manual feeding tray 26 since the claw member
20 of the jam access cover 16 interlocks with the apparatus body
12. This allows only the manual feeding tray 26 to be opened. As
described above, the jam access cover 16 does not rotate together
with the manual feeding tray 26 when only the manual feeding tray
26 is opened. This improves the efficiency of operation. The manual
feeding tray 26 stops at a predetermined angle of inclination with
respect to the jam access cover 16.
[0035] The feeding pad 30 is arranged to be opposed to the feeding
roller 34 when the manual feeding tray 26 is opened. This allows a
sheet placed on the manual feeding tray 26 to be held between the
feeding roller 34 and the feeding pad 30 and supplied in order into
the apparatus body 12 through the feeding opening 32.
[0036] In the case of a jammed sheet inside the apparatus body 12
with the manual feeding tray 26 and the jam access cover 16 being
closed as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, it is necessary to open the
jam access cover 16. At that time, the release lever 24 of the jam
access cover 16 is pushed up to rotate the claw member 20, as
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6. This causes the lock between the claw
member 20 and the apparatus body 12 to be released. After the lock
between the claw member 20 and the apparatus body 12 is released,
applying the predetermined pressure to the jam access cover 16 to
rotate and open the jam access cover 16 allows the jam access
opening 18 to be opened. At that time, the manual feeding tray 26
inclines with respect to the apparatus body 12 together with the
jam access cover 16 without rotating with respect to the jam access
cover 16 since the manual feeding tray 26 interlocks with the jam
access cover 16 through the snap fit portion even in the case when
a predetermined pressure is applied to the jam access cover 16.
Accordingly, operational efficiency in rotation of the jam access
cover 16 can be improved. The cause of the jammed sheet can be
easily removed since a hand can be inserted into the apparatus body
12 from the jam access opening 18 when the jam access opening 18 is
opened as described above.
[0037] In accordance with the image forming apparatus 10, as
described above, the jam access cover 16 is mounted to the
apparatus body 12 so as to be rotatable with respect to the
apparatus body 12 while the manual feeding tray 26 is mounted to
the jam access cover 16 in the vicinity of the upper end of the jam
access cover 16 so as to be rotatable with respect to the jam
access cover 16. Accordingly, the jam access cover 16 can be
effectively used as a mounting portion for the manual feeding tray
26. This allows the jam access cover 16 and the manual feeding tray
26 to be also efficiently provided in a comparatively small image
forming apparatus 10 independently of each other. In addition, the
apparatus body 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 can be reduced
in size.
[0038] While the present invention has been described with respect
to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that the disclosed present invention may be
modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other
than those specifically set out and described above. Accordingly,
it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of
the present invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *